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Johnny Nelson: Marcos Maidana impressive in win over Adrien Broner

Marcos Maidana's power stunned Adrien Broner and has opened the way for Kell Brook, says Johnny Nelson.

Last Updated: 16/12/13 4:42pm

Maidana: Out-powered pre-fight favourite Broner in San Antonio

I really didn't see the previously undefeated Broner losing to a fighter people were saying was past his best, but you have to give it to Maidana.

The 30-year-old made a really quick start and shocked everyone when he put Broner down in the second round - the first time the American had been floored in 28 fights.

Maidana's power really was the telling factor throughout the contest, too.

Once he got the measure of his opponent, Broner wasn't doing too badly, however, he was dropped again in the eighth and every solid hit from the challenger had the WBA welterweight champ in trouble.

I'm not sure many people feel much pity for Broner; he set himself up as the pantomime villain and if you do that you have to accept the boos when they come.

And Broner certainly won't be able to roll out his 'there's no blueprint for beating me' line, anymore. Maidana has shown the way.

Maidana knew he couldn't out-box Broner but he was physically stronger than him so he roughed him up, shook him out of the smooth pace he likes to operate at and made his opponent uncomfortable. He got Broner on the back-foot and he didn't like it.

Maidana's power won this fight - and that makes me wonder whether the leap to welterweight is too much for Broner.

Weight

The American became a three-weight world champion by beating Paulie Malignaggi in New York in June but we have to remember he began his career at super-featherweight, won a world title there and then took the WBC lightweight title in November 2012.

He's put 17lbs on from when he started as a pro, which is a lot. Physically he looks like he can carry it and has strength in his upper body but it may take time for him to grow into the 147lbs division.

He now needs to decide whether he wants to stick with this division and challenge the other world title contenders and seek a rematch with Maidana or move down to light-welterweight, which is an option.

Either way Broner is still the talk of the town, TV companies like him and he can rebuild his reputation.

Maidana, meanwhile, will be an interesting prospect for a lot of fighters, now he has the world title to his name.

Amir Khan seems set for a fight with Floyd Mayweather, but has defeated Maidana before and could see this as a chance to get a major strap back - but I actually think Maidana is the ideal opponent for Kell Brook.

Kell was the mandatory challenger for Devon Alexander's IBF welterweight title until Alexander lost to Shawn Porter, so it would be great to see him up against the man from Argentina instead.

Kell knows he'll be in for a tear-up, because the man can punch, but Maidana can also be out-boxed, as we saw at the back end of the Broner fight.

He's strong and Kell could not afford to make mistakes but it would be a great fight - and I see no reason why it couldn't happen.

Purdy

There was more welterweight action on Sky Sports on Saturday when Lee Purdy just fell short against Leonard Bundu.

In fairness to Purdy, Bundu was absolutely outstanding! I know he's European champion - but where has Bundu been?

The Italian was brilliant - he can bang, he can fight, he can punch... Purdy showed a lot of bottle and took it to him but you could see him wilting as the fight rolled on.

Bundu smartly changed tactics halfway through the fight; he first tried to fight Purdy but saw the man from Essex was comfortable stood in front of him in that kind of battle, so went on to the back foot, used his jab and that's what beat Purdy.

To have the fitness and brain to do that in the heat of the bout was impressive from Bundu.

Purdy produced an excellent performance but in the championship rounds Bundu proved to be too good for him and now the Englishman has to go back to the domestic ranks.

This loss came on the back of a defeat to Alexander and Purdy needs to get back to winning ways to rebuild his confidence.

Mitchell

One man who isn't short on confidence, though, is Kevin Mitchell, who stopped Karim El Ouazghari on the same bill as Purdy at the ExCel in London.

The Romford fighter was outstanding and impressive in everything he did. He's talking about how he's back in love with boxing and when that passion is there he can produce performances like that.

He now should be looking to take on fighters who have their eyes on world title shots - that's what I'd be doing if I was in his position.

He needs to stay busy and if he can record a couple of big wins against ambitious fighters then his confidence and reckoning will grow and grow.